NFABD deputy president, Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar, presenting Abdurahman Assawdiq Ab Rahim with his certificate of participation at the NFABD House in Berakas. BT/ Syarif Rasani
Twenty-one aspiring coaches received certificates of participation from the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) for taking part in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 'C' licence coaching course yesterday.
The 12-day course saw the participants complete 85 hours of teaching and three practical examinations.
They will now have to wait for a month while the AFC grades two of their theory papers.
Head coach of the NFABD Under-16 team Stephen Ng Heng Seng and NFABD technical director Mike Wong Mun Heng led the 'C' licence course.
Ng told The Brunei Times, "It was a good learning experience for all of them and I think all of them worked really hard."
"They were very dedicated and committed.
"I think it was a pleasure to work with coaches from around Brunei and I would like to say all of them have shown improvements over the days," added Ng at the NFABD House in Berakas.
Developing the coaches' basic technique and skill in football is the aim of the 'C' certificate.
They also learned to organise, direct and conduct basic coaching practices targeting young players.
After obtaining the 'C' licence, they will be eligible to apply for the 'B' licence after two years' of coaching experience, followed by an additional one year to sit for the 'A' licence.
Next on the list would be the AFC Professional Coaching Diploma, which can only be taken after conducting two years of coaching as an 'A' licence coach. Certain criteria's must also be met.
Football coach for the Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Rashidah Secondary School, Nordin Hj Awang Besar, thinks that he may apply for the 'B' licence when eligible.
"It was an excellent course and it taught us a lot on how to organise more meaningful training to develop better players for the national team," said Nordin.
"I want to use what I learnt by enhancing training sessions while developing the technical skills to create a better team," added Nordin.
Mohammad Endy Zulyady, who plays for Jerudong FC, admitted it wasn't the easiest thing to go through.
"The course was actually really tiring and to become a coach isn't easy, though now I can bring back all the new things I have learnt to show my team," said Endy who also thanked the NFABD for holding the course.
The AFC also offers a Conditioning Coaching Certificate course, a Futsal Coaching Certificate course, and a Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate course.
Once passing the relevant courses, the coaches can then study with the AFC to become an AFC Coaching Instructor, AFC Conditioning Instructor, AFC Futsal Instructor and AFC Goalkeeping Instructor.
Sixteen of the participants were from Brunei-Muara, two from Belait, two from temburong and one from Indonesia.
Norman Muchni, who travelled from Indonesia, had been in contact with the NFABD for a year leading up to the course.
Guest of honor, NFABD deputy president, Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mohannad Yussof Abu Bakar presented the 21 hopefuls with their certificates of participation.
